Caius glanced over his shoulder at the older human male, "He's a smart one… though not quite smart enough…"
Ashton was sprawled on the largest of the tails, while he hadn't noticed prior… the centermost tail was the largest of the seven. Ashton pushed himself up, "Not smart enough… or doesn't have enough relevant information?" Ashton teased sitting up. Using the tail like a bench, one leg bent to his chest while the other dangled just off the ground.
"Aiya, you wound me with such words Little Snack!" Caius pouted as birds flocked to them. Caius took great care in keeping his tails steady. Aiya! The little one was so adorable looking up at him with such bright blue eyes!
"Stones cast often find their way back Fox," Ashton stated nonchalantly as he opened a rift. A large bag of feathers he'd been offered yesterday dropped out. As the birds descended from the skies they brought twigs, moss, vines really all manner of items.
Caius snatched up the bag that was almost as wide around as the little one's current nest, and stuck his face inside, many of feathers still had residual mana. "How big a nest will you need Little Snack? Surely this one will be large enough for when you start a family." Caius hinted as some birds landed, and others circled overhead… if even one dared excrete its waste on him… he'd be having roasted bird for days.
Ashton burst into laughter and nearly fell off the tail as the fox glared threateningly at the birds blocking out the sun. The birds had also clearly noticed the threat since the eye of their storm dramatically increased so there were several yards of clear skies above them again.
Caius grinned triumphantly at the now clear skies, "Aiya Little Snack, do not lie and say you would have forgiven any of your kin if they had pooped on you." There was another fit of nearly uncontrollable laughter, Caius dropped the bag placing his hands on his hips.
Ashton couldn't remember the last time he laughed so hard… this giant beast of sin, who had disseminated kingdoms, who could entice people to give up their very soul, who humans had often worshiped as a god… feared bird poop. "Hahaha hahaha, gasp, hahaha!"
Caius crossed his arms tapping his foot as he brought his tail level with his chest so he could be eye to eye with the Little Snack. "You find it that funny? Hmm? Should I find a bird to poop on you and see if you still laugh?"
"Hahaha gasp, gasp, hahaha! Hahaha!" Ashton was struggling to breathe, really it shouldn't be that funny. But once he started, he couldn't stop.
Caius deliberately started tapping his foot hard enough to slightly shake the ground, "Hmm, surely one of these birds has to poop, come, I dare you!"
Ashton was clutching his now aching stomach and rolled onto a waiting tail, "Hahaha, ugh, gasp, hahaha so petty! Hahaha!" Ashton felt himself teering up as the tail curled around his huddled form.
"HA. HA. HA. Yes, I am petty, just you watch Little Snack! You'll see how petty I can be!" Caius huffed stomping toward the crowd of waiting birds.
The birds squawked as they took the skies in an attempt to flee, only to be captured in a cage of wind.
"Yes, yes be so scared you poop on your king! Come now! Come!" Caius demanded waving the Little Snack beneath the flock of nearly crazed birds. Even the fellow beasts trapped inside were crashing against his barrier.
"Hahaha hahaha, hahaha!" Ashton half clutched on the tail now wrapped around his waist waving him back and forth beneath the squall of feathers, beaks, and talons.
Caius rolled his eyes then released the flock, at this rate the heartless Little Snack would cry teers of laughter. While he did covet teers, there was no need for the dragonkin to see anymore than this. Caius dramatically pointed to the bag, "Make a nest fit for your king, or I will eat you!"
Ashton choked on his laughter, "Cough cough, haha, cough, hahaha!" It took several more moments for him to calm down. Really, it wasn't that funny… but something about it continued to make him chuckle as he flopped onto his back. The tail curved perfectly so Ashton felt he were laying on a chaise lounger.
Caius watched the birds set to work, using their twigs or branches to create the circumference, then using their bodies to flatten before continuing. Next, they started weaving the vines and more flexible branches in. He'd never really seen a nest built before, he'd half expected them to start from the center and work their way out.
Ashton rolled so he was on his stomach as he watched, soon only a dozen of the larger birds were working around the nest while the rest went back for materials. This new nest would fit even Agapi comfortably. In less than an hour, the rims were almost finished so the birds started picking out feathers to start lining the nest.
Caius trotted around the nest, inspecting the progress. To his understanding, the courting bird would make the nest to entice a mate… though he'd still hoped the youth would participate a little. While male foxes tended to follow their potential mate during mating season. Caius looked thoughtfully over the Little Snack… does he even have a mating season?
Caius had been well aware this would be a struggle, mostly on his part to earn the right to breed, let alone for a soul mating bond. Luckily, the little one had been overwhelmingly accepting of his intimacies… but newborns did tend to require more affections than their adult counterparts.
"Fox, your rather pensive all of a sudden." Ashton commented watching the serious expression the fox was giving not only the nest, but himself.
Caius jolted then turned to the little bird looking up at him, "I am flattered by your quick acceptance," he admitted watching for even the slightest change in the youth's expression. Caius wasn't a fool, he'd had several temporary mates, he knew better than to assume any being would appreciate any acts of courtship. Caius typically only bred with females, but he'd carried three litters… His hesitation was that there were no official records on phoenix courtships.
"You have been most… accommodating." Ashton deliberated his recent actions… while the fox was warm… if Lucian had been this warm he would have still refused the intimacy. While he wasn't entire certain of Lucian's interest… Fox had made no secret of his intentions… but it was more than that.
Caius watched each expression, "Clearly my natural charm extends to even the skies." It was apparent the youth wasn't aware why he'd accepted another beast so readily into his territory, but Caius had no intention of letting any advantage slip away.
Ashton closed his eyes, "You are charming… truth be told I am ashamed to admit you've been more respectful and accommodating than I expected, even during courtship." Ashton knew the fox had subtly been attempting to influence him… but unless he was willing the others were not capable of such feats.
Caius narrowed his eyes but waited. This little one had more to say, better to listen and adjust than push forward.
"A small piece of me, expected you to be more like the rumors… deliberately seductive. I thought, when you learned of my soul form you would leave until after I had matured; or not care continuing a bold courtship." Ashton admitted opening his eyes to gaze serenely upon his fellow beast. Ashton did want the fox to stay, and for more than just his incredibly warm tails. Ashton… was at ease around this beast.
"You have been raised by humans, even the best of them are… lacking in some manner. Not because they are unworthy, but because they do not understand how different you've always been. While I would usually be offended by such thoughts, it is painfully clear why you have them." Caius remarked glancing around the mostly empty clearing, even with the little one establishing a firm territory… the stench of greed was carried by the wind.
Ashton nodded, "I am sorry to have judged you based on how humans have treated me. I know better and would not have done so were I not unfairly biased." It was… strange to have such a blunt conversation with someone who took his words at face value… not a bad strange but still strange.
Caius watched the Little Snack, so adorable. His little face all serious as he thought about his feelings! Aiya! But, if the Little Snack seriously kept analyzing all his feelings, it would be harder to lead him into Caius's cage. Caius used a tail to flick the little one's nose, "Aiya, such a serious Little Snack."
Ashton jolted at the unexpected contact, but then glanced at the nest still being woven together… every relationship had give and take… Ashton eyeballed the nest, it would take at least two or so days before it was ready… he had a bit of time before he had to make any guiding decisions. Not to mention, he still needed the betrayers of his trust to arrive… for now he would indulge in the fox's warmth.
Caius deliberately turned away to watch the humans start gathering up… such ungrateful vermin… if they wouldn't return kindness, they wouldn't get any. Many of his kin had already returned, most were emptying small spacial storage enchantments with Talvi then darting back out into the forest. Better to keep feeding the little one in small but consistent volumes, at least for now.